Yankuang ceshi (Mar 2022)

The Application of EPMA in the Textural Characterization of Cryptomelane in the Xialei Manganese Deposit, Southwest Guangxi

  • NIU Sida,
  • ZHAO Liqun,
  • NIU Xianglong,
  • CHEN Tong,
  • WANG Yingchao,
  • MO Lingchao,
  • WU Huaying,
  • ZHANG Min,
  • LONG Peng

DOI
https://doi.org/10.15898/j.cnki.11-2131/td.202109040115
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 41, no. 2
pp. 239 – 250

Abstract

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BACKGROUND OMS-2 has shown great significance in ion exchange, catalyst, energy and environment, but the research of natural OMS-2 mineral material cryptomelane is still lacking in the detailed characterization of the composition, structure and genetic research. Annulus and core-rim structures are representative in the structure of manganese oxide minerals. It is of great significance to clarify the mineral species and explore its composition characteristics, its origin and develop the application of manganese oxides. The Mn ore resource of Guangxi account for 23% of the manganese ore resource reserves in China. The Xialei Mn deposit located in Southwest Guangxi is the earliest super-large Mn deposit discovered in China, with an average grade of about 30% for the manganese oxide ore. OBJECTIVES To explore the annulus and core-rim texture and its composition of cryptomelane in the Xialei Mn deposit. METHODS Quantitative analysis and element mapping of EPMA and microscopy were carried out. RESULTS The element intensity of the cryptomelane with annulus texture was Mn, K, Mg, Al, Zn, Ba, P, Fe in order of average from strong to weak. The average element intensity of the cryptomelane with core-rim texture was Mn, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Ba, P, Fe from strong to weak. The K content gradually increased (2.31%-4.17%, 0.38-0.62 atoms per formula unit) from the middle to the rim of the cryptomelane, indicating K enrichment during oxidization and the stable status of Mn oxides. CONCLUSIONS The change in the trend of K and Mn ions is the direct cause of the formation of the annulus and core-rim texture, reflecting the changes of oxidation environment. Potassium content gradually increases from the inner to outer zone, which may indicate the enrichment of potassium during the oxidation process, and also reflects manganese oxide gradually tending to the most stable state.

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